Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Sialadenitis (sialoadenitis) is inflammation of salivary glands, usually the major ones, the most common being the parotid gland, followed by submandibular and sublingual glands. [1] It should not be confused with sialadenosis (sialosis) which is a non-inflammatory enlargement of the major salivary glands. [2]
Infections involving the salivary glands can be viral or bacterial (or rarely fungal). Mumps is the most common viral sialadenitis. It usually occurs in children and involves pain in front of the ear, swelling of the parotid, fever , chills, and headaches.
Acute bacterial parotitis: is most often caused by a bacterial infection of Staphylococcus aureus but may be caused by any commensal bacteria. [2] Parotitis presents as swelling at the angle of the jaw. Bacterial parotitis presents as a unilateral swelling, where the gland is swollen and tender and usually produces pus at the Stensen's duct.
The two parotid glands are major salivary glands wrapped around the mandibular ramus in humans. [6] These are largest of the salivary glands, secreting saliva to facilitate mastication and swallowing, and amylase to begin the digestion of starches. [7] It is the serous type of gland which secretes alpha-amylase (also known as ptyalin). [8]
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a common malignant tumour of the salivary glands and has a low incidence of 4–13%. [13] Adenoid cystic carcinoma is also a common malignant salivary gland lesion and has an incidence of 4–8%. This carcinoma tends to invade nerves and can re-occur post-treatment.
Chelitis glandularis is a rare inflammatory condition of the minor salivary glands, usually in the lower lip, which appears swollen and everted. [15] There may also be ulceration, crusting, abscesses, and sinus tracts. It is an acquired disorder, but the cause is uncertain.
A minor salivary gland biopsy, usually taken from the lip, [26] may be carried out if there is a suspicion of organic disease of the salivary glands. [1] Blood tests and urinalysis may be involved to exclude a number of possible causes. [1] To investigate xerophthalmia, the Schirmer test of lacrimal flow may be indicated. [1]
A ranula is a type of mucocele, and therefore could be classified as a disorder of the salivary glands. Usually a ranula is confined to the floor of the mouth (termed a "simple ranula"). [6] An unusual variant is the cervical ranula (also called a plunging or diving ranula), where the swelling is in the neck rather than the floor of the mouth. [1]